Dubai, UAE — In a city known for its penchant for luxury and the extraordinary, a new addition has captured the attention of high-end clientele: ice cubes carved from a 100,000-year-old glacier in Greenland.
Priced at Dh249 for six cubes, this crystal-clear ice is now available for private purchase following an epic 20,000-kilometre journey.
Harvested from a 22-tonne block of glacial ice that broke away naturally, these cubes are processed at the Natural Ice factory in Al Quoz and marketed under the brand Arctic Ice.
Demand has been “high” since the block reached Dubai shores in January last year, according to Ahmad al Mazrooei, co-owner of the factory. “We have received enquiries from top entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals,” he said.
The ice, which is sold in a triangular box reflecting the colours of the sky, is the result of nearly a year of development led by Samir Ben Tabib, chairman of international relations at Arctic Ice.
From Glacier to Glass
The journey of these ice cubes began with an unexpected maritime accident. “Their boat crashed into a block of ice,” Samir recalled.
“The glacier was so pure that they did not see it. That’s when I thought it might be an idea to remove some of the chunks of ice broken away from the big glacier. It would make the waters safer for the locals and would be a great business idea as well.”
The ice’s appeal lies in its purity and structure. With “little to no taste,” the cubes ensure that the flavour of any drink remains unaltered as they melt.
They also have a longer-lasting structure compared to regular ice, making them a prized component for premium beverages.
A Luxurious Collaboration
To launch the cubes in style, Arctic Ice has partnered with Nahaté, a fine-dining restaurant located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Known for its opulent offerings, Nahaté boasts a Baccarat Chef’s Table that can be booked for Dh35,000 and the first-ever Jacob & Co. private lounge, which costs Dh150,000 to book during off-peak hours.
The special cocktail menu featuring the glacier ice was curated by Andrey Bolshakov, the restaurant’s beverage and marketing director. Inspired by the luxury brands Baccarat and Jacob & Co., the menu includes ten drinks priced between Dh300 and Dh700.
One standout is the Astronomia cocktail, served in a blue Baccarat glass valued at over Dh1,000.
“I have created cocktails all over the world, but what I really loved about the idea of the Arctic Ice cubes is how pure and untouched they were,” Andrey said.
“About 95 per cent of cocktails are served with ice, and its quality impacts our drinks. Our guests will even hear the crackle as these pieces melt in their glasses.”
His enthusiasm for the product was so strong that he took two large boxes of the ice to Monaco for the F1 Grand Prix in May last year. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive.
“I was questioned extensively on why I was taking ice from Dubai to Monaco,” he chuckled. “But when I finally served the drinks to my customers, I told them that the ice in it could be over 100,000 years old. It was mind-blowing. You enjoy things more when you understand it.”
Expanding Horizons
While Arctic Ice initially focused on exclusive membership clubs, it is now expanding to private sales. To commemorate this new chapter, the company is introducing special Ramadan gift boxes.
“It’s an elegant and meaningful way to share our ice with loved ones,” Samir noted. The demand for these luxurious ice cubes has surpassed expectations, prompting the company to consider further expansion.
“The responses have been much more encouraging than I imagined,” Samir said. The uniqueness of the product has also sparked interest from other high-end restaurants in Dubai, although Arctic Ice remains selective about its partners.
“We picked Nahaté because we felt they really understood our premium product and worked diligently with it,” Samir added.
An Entrepreneurial Dream
For Samir, who grew up in Denmark, Dubai was the obvious choice for this ambitious venture.
“I grew up in Denmark, where we were raised with the idea of the American Dream. Today, that dream is found in Dubai — home to the best entrepreneurs in the region, setting the gold standard for global business,” he said.
The emirate’s reputation for supporting innovative ideas played a crucial role in making the business a reality.
Ahmad al Mazrooei echoed this sentiment, highlighting the support that Dubai offers to entrepreneurs. “The support that you get here is second to none in the world,” he said.
The Future of Arctic Ice
Looking ahead, Arctic Ice is exploring ways to scale up production and reach a broader market.
With interest already coming from beyond the UAE, the company is considering exporting to other luxury destinations. However, maintaining the exclusivity of the product remains a priority.
“We want to grow, but without compromising the essence of what makes our ice special,” Samir said. For now, the focus is on perfecting the experience for their high-end clientele in Dubai and making Arctic Ice a byword for luxury and sophistication.
As Dubai’s elite raise a glass cooled by millennia-old ice, it seems clear that Arctic Ice has managed to transform a block of glacial ice into a symbol of ultimate luxury.